Office of Undergraduate Research

The Office of Undergraduate Research has had a busy Fall!

Undergraduate Research Conference
The OUR Ambassadors held a successful Undergraduate Research Conference on October 14th. Freshman and Sophomore students had an opportunity to learn more about getting involved in Undergraduate Research.

2023 Fall Undergraduate Research Festival
120+ students had the opportunity to present their research! Another chance for students to present will be the 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Festival which will take place on Wednesday, April 3rd.

Research Supply Grants
Through November OUR has awarded nine students with Research Supply Grants. These students are conducting research in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Engineering and History. To check out their projects, click here. For more information and an online application, click here.

Register your Research
As you register for the Spring term, don't forget to register your undergraduate research or creative experiences!

Awards

2024 Distinguished Mentor Award

To recognize the work that mentors put in to make their student's experiences successful, OUR created the Distinguished Mentor Award (DMA). Students are invited to nominate their faculty research mentor as a huge "Thank you!" for the time and talent their mentors have given. More information.

Nominations accepted through January 11, 2024

Nominate a mentor: Click Here

Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award

Each year, the Office of Undergraduate Research presents up to five Excellence in Undergraduate Research Awards to undergraduate students involved in research/creative work at the University of Iowa. More information.

Application deadline January 11, 2024

The application is open now. Apply for the 2024 EURA

Presentation Opportunities

Research in the Capitol

Research in the Capitol (RIC) takes students to the Iowa Statehouse to talk to Iowa's legislators about research and creative scholarship at all three regent universities (UI, ISU, and UNI). Each year, 20 students from each university bring research posters to display at Iowa's Statehouse. This year's RIC will be on Monday, March 25, 2024, 11:30-1:30pm at the Iowa State House in Des Moines, Iowa. Applications will be accepted through March 1st and notification of selected participants will be posted by March 15th. To apply to present at the 2024 RIC - click here.

Spring Undergraduate Research Festival

It's not too early to start thinking about presenting your research at the 2024 Spring Undergraduate Research Festival (SURF)! This event will take place in the afternoon on Wednesday, April 3rd. Held in celebration and recognition of undergraduate researchers' contributions to research, scholarly, and creative work at the University of Iowa, all students involved in mentored research or creative work are invited to present their work.

Research Opportunties

Open Research Positions

If you're looking to get involved in research, check out these listings of labs currently recruiting undergraduate researchers! This is not an exhaustive list of positions available.

Register Your Research

Make sure you're recognized for your fall research! Register for a 0-4 credit hour course, which can be pass/fail or graded. Don't forget to register your Spring research as you work on your schedules for the next term!

Funding Opportunities

Research Supply Grant

Small grants of up to $1,000 are available to facilitate undergraduate research and creative scholarship. These funds are open for use for purchasing research supply materials as well as traveling to conduct research if the facilities or materials are not available at Iowa.
Applications for spring funding will be accepted January 16th.

Student Travel Awards

One-time grants are available to UI undergraduate researchers who are traveling to a professional conference or professional development event. Students can request up to $500 per application, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Applications for Spring Travel being accepted now!

Other News and Information

Summer Research Experiences
Now is the time to start considering a summer research opportunity (Many programs have deadlines in January or February). A great place to start your search for a summer research opportunity.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program - Univ Missouri.
The University of Missouri is accepting applications for their summer internship programs. Students will be provided with on-campus room and board, travel to and from Columbia and stipends that range from $3,400 – $5,400. In addition, many programs provide one credit hour of research.

Office of Scholar Development
The Office of Scholar Development (OSD) is available to assist University of Iowa undergraduates in their pursuit of national fellowship and funding opportunities.

Synthesis
Do you have a project to showcase? Submit for publication with Synthesis! Synthesis is a student-run, editorially reviewed journal of science communication. The Spring 2024 edition is now accepting submissions through December 1st, 2023. For more information: click here.

Searching for New OUR Ambassadors

If you or someone you know is looking to get involved, please look into becoming an OUR Ambassador. OUR's Research Ambassadors are a group of UI undergraduates who are actively involved in research and creative work on campus. They assist with campus recruiting and outreach, event planning, and other ways to promote undergraduate involvement.

To Learn More: https://our.research.uiowa.edu/our-ambassador-information

Questions? Suggestions?

Bob Kirby, Director, bob-kirby@uiowa.edu
Tawny Tibbits, Associate Director, tawny-tibbits@uiowa.edu
Laura Kowalski-Bliss, Program Coordinator, laura-kowalski-bliss@uiowa.edu

Office of Undergraduate Research
6 Gilmore Hall
319-335-8336